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Subscribe to RSSPresident Obama said he related to middle class Americans “looking for a chance,” as he highlighted his administration’s efforts to retrain unemployed workers for new jobs.
Accusing his Republican rivals of trying to revive trickle-down economics instead of spending money on priorities to help the middle class, President Obama says those Republicans "don't seem to remember how America was built."
"I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Michelle wasn't, either," the president said to a crowd of 400 students at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio. “But somebody gave us a chance. Just like these folks up here are looking for a chance.”
The Obama campaign has pushed wealth and economic fairness arguments against Mitt Romney, who would be one of the wealthiest presidents in history -- and that quote was quickly seen as a veiled reference to his GOP opponent this fall.
Amy Sancetta / AP
President Barack Obama reaches out to shake hands with Lorain County Community College student Bronson Harwood after speaking at the college Wednesday in Elyria, Ohio.
And as he criticized Republicans for opposing Democrats’ efforts to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans, he told the crowd that, like them, he doesn’t enjoy paying taxes, but unlike most Americans, he can afford to pay more.
“They want to give me more of a tax break,” he said of Republicans. “Now, I just paid taxes. It’s not like I love paying taxes. But I can afford it. I don't need another tax break."
Obama argued that tax cuts alone don't make the economy stronger and that GOP policies have been tried before and almost brought the “entire financial system” to a collapse.
“Take a look at what happened in Ohio between 2000 and 2008," Obama said. "It's not like we didn't try it. And instead of faster job growth, we had the slowest job growth in half a century.”
But the president also seemed on the defensive, acknowledging arguments against him -- from debt, deficits, and big-government spending. He asserted twice that investing in job training programs and cutting tax cuts for the wealthy did not amount to wealth redistribution, a common conservative criticism.
“Understand, this is not a redistribution argument," Obama said. "This is not about taking form rich people to give to poor people. This is about us together making investments in our country so everybody’s got a fair shot."
And, when arguing that government-subsidized community-college training programs were vehicles for economic growth, he said, “These investments are not part of some grand scheme to redistribute wealth, they’ve been made by Democrats and Republicans for generations, because they benefit all of us.”
Before he spoke, the president held a round table with four unemployed workers who are participating in the Lorain County Community College’s job training programs. He said those individuals represent the American notion that “we don't quit.”
“And so the question now is, how do we make sure that all of America is expressing that spirit through making sure that everybody is getting a fair shot?” he continued. “Because that’s going to be a major debate that we have not just for the next few months but the next few years.”
Following his speech, the president headed to the Cleveland airport en route to Michigan, where he was expected to give two evening campaign speeches and raise money.
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President Obama might not have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth but they have adapted themselves quickly to a very lavish lifestyle. To say that he "identifies" with the middle class is hogwash. I am in the middle class and I can assure you my husband doesn't fly me to New York for date night- we are lucky if we have any money to have a date night. We don't rent homes in Hawaii, take our friends on lavish trips to Europe, hop off to Vegas, etc.
I don't want someone to "give me" anything- I prefer to do it the old fashioned way and earn it myself. We have serious problems facing this country- overwhelming and unsustainable debt, out of control spending, sustained high unemployment, sky rocketing fuel costs- to name a few. I don't let my young children whine to me about "fairness" so why on earth would I want to hear my President resort to that? Fairness is subjective and divisive because what is fair for one person is not fair for someone else so when you bring up fairness you are intentionally trying to divide. I have had enough of divide and conquer politics. President Obama ran as a "uniter" and has spent the last 2+ years doing everything he can to divide this country in his quest for reelection. President Obama has failed miserably. I am not grading him based on where things were when he took over, I am grading him on how things are now and the policies and procedures he has promoted. I believe it is easier to step into a bad situation and make it look better than to step into a good situation and make it look great. President Obama stepped into a bad situation and has made no improvements and possibly made things worse- more people out of work since he took office, debt higher, credit rating downgraded, cost of living higher, fuel costs higher- these are not improvements. President Obama has failed on every front and is now running a campaign based on subjective and abstract concepts like fairness and trust instead of actual solutions to the problems that affect all Americans. Pathetic.
There are plenty of recommendations on how to get out of trouble cheaply and fast. Most of them come down to this: Deny your responsibility.
-Lyndon B. Johnson
When is President Obama going to take responsibility into his own hands and not blame his predecessor? He is more than halfway pass his four year term and still blaming others. It is starting to get embarrassing and turning voters away from him. I am an independent (voted for President Obama the last election but I can't see myself voting for him this time). Man Up President Obama and you might change my mind.
Obama just got too many of those lucky breaks in a row and Michelle too...I mean Harvard...lawyer....all the stuff that probably less than 1% has had a chance at. I ain't buyin' it Mr. Obama and Ms. Michelle, nobody has that luck! I worked hard and studied all I could, all these years and maybe I made it to the first rung...I have come far for an American to rise one level!!!!! He's making me mad!!! So out of touch!
A free ride at Harvard unfortunately counts as a silver spoon! Obama lives in a world that even Charles Manson would have trouble understanding. Maybe he should have just gotten laid with his Secret Service men and then he wouldn't be so Angry all the time.
None of you teabaggers own stocks or gold?
You people are morons.
I believe Glenn Beck started telling his listeners to buy gold at $600.00oz.
And this is from someone that only pays 20% n taxes less than his own secetary who makes less than Obama...
Do you teabagger want Obama to pay his fair share or not?
Boehner gave him his tax cuts.
Hell Pres. Obama did much better than a silver spoon, he was given the "RACE CARD" and man does he play it like a fiddle. Fact is he was born or grew up in the U. S. with all the advantages this great country had to offer all its citizens. He should stop whinning and admit to that. The country he is destroying made him. Ungreatful!
what in the world is wrong with being rich in this country? or any country in Europe? what is wrong with being born with a silver spoon or a gold spoon or any effin spoon in your mouth. You're born with it! I was just in Spain trying to buy a new pair of glasses and 3 store clerks were trying to tell me what to buy since there's a crisis (must have solidarity with all those who are going trough tough times). They kept showing me the more value for your money session. I did not want that..I wanted the expensive great quality for my money that I earned and saved with sweat and tears for a whole year so I could go a spend it in whatever the hell I wanted. I paid my ticket, my taxes, I already give money to a few charities, I give my time to my church, and I volunteer for meal on wheels. I spend money in your country, leave me alone and let me see the expensive crap you have.. is this how we want to be in this country? is this how you make a sale? no wonder your country is on the verge of bankruptcy. I am not kidding people..I know this is where we're headed. Viva Los Rich with silver spoons!!!
I'll eat dog, pig, kitty, cow, horse, whatever in order to survive. Fortunately, it's been a great 3 plus years and I only ate kitty. Going to be another great four with President Obama and the fam!
So What? I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth either. So now he wants to redistribute the spoons? Give me a break! I'm not impressed with this speech...it's the same old bag of hot air! Where are Obama's grades from college? Let's see how "hard he worked".
Obama can pay all the taxes he wants...there is no law that says you can only pay what you owe. Obama is free to give all his money to his government if that's what he wants to do....he is a hypocrite people. He paid less in taxes as a % of his income than I did....if he can "afford to pay more" then set the example and pay more. As for me and my family...leave us alone. We pay enough and it got wasted on lavish parties in vegas and hookers in Brazil.
THE RICH NEED MORE TAX CUTS!
Signed, A Teabagging Racist
You sound like a Presidential Teleprompter
Why do you call the tea party people racist? Explain this to me please.
Here is the truth. The democrats at one time were the party of the working man. Now they just run around with thier hnad out promising to support every nut case fringe group agenda in order to get a vote. This is in addition to their doling out billions from the treasury to buy welfare votes.
The Republicans parade themselves as sticking up for the Constitution and traditional American values. Hey, that sounds good to me. I am all for working hard and making something of yourself and only taking aide from other when there is NO OTHER CHOICE. The trouble with the Republicans is that they have destroyed the manufacturing base in this country by allowing a lot of good paying jobs to be shipped overseas.
So they sit around criticizing one another, each calling the other names and vying for the hearts and minds of citizens. Who will you believe? The democrats who want to "help" everyone with Robin Hood economics, or the Republicans who wrap themselves in the flag while allowing our jobs to go overseas to keep their coporate donors pocketbooks full. Who will it be America?
It is time for REAL Americans to stand up and DEMAND BETTER from BOTH parties!! We need a manufacturing base! We need to thin the welfare roles and help only those that have no other means to survive. Here's a news flash for both parties, you can't thin the welfare and entitlement roles until you get a robust economy with good paying jobs! Stop bickering and FIGURE IT OUT!! Get together with corporate America and FIX THE PROBLEM!!
It's so funny that Republicans all keep saying the same thing they have been saying for years. It's quite a shame that they cry class warfare and let's not take from the rich, when most Republican governed states are broke as hell. But their fight this time isn't about that at all. They are really mad that they had to give up the White House in '08, and not only that, but they gave it to a black man. And the biggest part of the Republican base did not like that one bit. So at every turn they have made this Presidents term as hard as you can make it. But they are right on one thing though. And it's that President Obama did divide the nation. Because all the fringe nut jobs came out the wood work and from day one its either you are a hate filled, racist, hypocritical, war-monger or you are a sane minded person who has the ability to have thoughtful, intelligent, focused talks with civility. It's really an easy choice, like picking Coke or Pepsi...
Let's see, democrats support abortion, gay marriage, legalized drugs, and welfare for all. The Republicans try to stand up for our Constitution and values that made this country great. Who is supporting the fringe now? I don't mind that Obama is half black. I do care that he is a socialist. I would GLADLY vote for Condelesa Rice, Allen West, Herman Cain, or Allen Keys for president. Guess what, they are all black, BUT conservative. Judge men not by the color of their skin but the content of their character.
Are you living in the same United States I do. The democratic run states are all broke ... the entitlements are killing them and their future.
I'm from Alaska. We're one of the few states, in general, to have a surplus, something Obama has no clue about. He has DOUBLED our deficit in 3.5 years, something none of our past President did, even with their meddling in foreign affairs and all their stupid wars combined.
Do you morons want Obama to pay his fair share or not?
Why did Boehner screw over the middle class?
We will have to pay his way back to Chicago in January 2013
Please don't, we don't want him
LOL The Obama haters sure come scuttling out, with their faux noise and gop/bagger talking points, even a couple of birthers.
Give examples of his lies, how he has cheated, how he has played the victim?
Just face many people don't like Obama, because he is a democrat, many because he is black, they do not want a black man to succeed as president, somehow they take it as get something over on whites.
Faux noise and the GOP/baggers have been attacking everything this President has done, even when it is taking GOP ideas like mandates. What's the joke if the President walked on water, they would say what does he have against swimming?
There is no pleasing some people, remember when OBL was killed? Name one positive story on the President by fox news...... crickets......
Obama/Biden 2012
i wasnt born with a silver spoon in my mouth wow!!!! was he even born in america i dont recall if that question was ever answered when it was asked years ago false birth certificate ???? just wondering
4 word the GOP will NEVER say = Middle Class Tax Cuts
NEVER FORGET!!!
You lie like a President. Is that you Barack on our Blackberry
How much does Rupert pay these racist idiots?
being born in KENYA, of coarse he did not have a silver spoon in his mouth. His rich grandparents did though, and they paid for his very expensive harvard education, where he says he studied constitutional law. but if he studied constitutional law then he would know that the president cannot order the church to give free birth control. And all of the other constitutional laws he is breaking behind the backs of his "supporters".
No silver spoon, just horns and a pitchfork
How did he get all his money as a community organizer unless he got it from crooked means. This idiot has lied and stolen his way to his fortune. Get this lying bastard out of the White House
No-Obama was born with permanent government entitlement support rights. From cradle to education to
policital appointment jobs to president. At least Romney did something to earn his money besides
live at taxpayer expense all his life.
Obama will NOT ever release his Collage transcripts or information BECAUSE he got a Scholarship has as FOREIGN Student from Kenya!
The next time this America Hater asks for Romneys tax returns......Romney should Ask for this CROOKS College information.........Grades / scholarships/ etc.
He probably had a C average AND got a scholarship as a FOREIGN! Wanna bet???
So what has Obama done to help the middle class in the last 4 years?
He's taken away our choice in health insurance and emptied our wallets a bit more. He's stalled the recovery of the economy and saddled us with debt.
123 taken our choice in health insurance, just how did he do that, I still have my choice, how about you still have yours, when did this happen or even how is it going to happen, even the health care act does not take your choice of insurance companies away you can choose any you want when that goes into effect which it has not. Come back up that wild azz claim. And again just how did he stall the recovery as I recall it is the GOP dominated house that has done that, come on big boy back up that big mouth.
The states decide what coverages must be included on policies sold in their states. With the new legislation, the coverages were increased/added to. So, the federal government decides what policy is available. Instead of "insurance" we are all forced to buy a maintenence plan. This would be like having no auto insurance available to you that did not include coverage for oil changes, tires, gas and car washes.
Health insurance was already extremely expensive thanks to Democrats forcing things at the state level....mental health coverage, addiction, no co-pays on checkups, $0 co pays for certain RX, etc. The Democrats plan to remedy the problem with even more government regulation. This will fail too due to insane costs (if the supreme court does not shoot it down) and they will push for a single payer system.
Tis,
The democrats have had control of The Senate for the last 6 1/2 years.
The democrats have had control of The White House for the last 3 1/2 years.
The democrats have had control of The House for the last 5 out of 6 years.
And,yes, you have not had your health insurance choice taken away....YET. Just wait till Obamacare kicks in. (I pray The Supreme Court shoots it down so your choice is NOT taken away)
Next................
Neither was I born with a silver spoon. But this is weak, really pathetic. If he can't do any better than push the class warfare agenda, maybe he's in more trouble than I would have imagined. Even lacking a silver spoon, the GQ president has developed really marvelously upscale taste in clothing.
Yes, he is.